Baggage-rack.



G. P. & P. E. HOWARD. BAGGAGE RACK.

APPLICATION FILED J'AN. 6, 1908.

Patented Deo.22, 1908.

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C. P. & P. E. HOWARD. BAGGGE RACK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 190s.

Patented Dec. 22,' 190s.'

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. HOWARD AND FRANK E. HOWARD, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT,ASSIGNORS TO JAMES L. HOWARD & COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

BAGGAGE-RACK. i

Application filed January 6, 1908.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, CHARLES P. HOWARD and FRANK E. HOWARD, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of Hartford, in the county of Hartfordand State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Baggage-Racks, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact specilication.

This invention comprises improvements in baggage racks and similarstructures.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved form andarrangement of rack which is simple, strong, compact and quickly erectedor assembled 5 which can be interchangeably used in diil'erent cars, orin dii'l'erent portions of the same car, and which may be put in placeand removedwithout anyspecial wrenches or other special tools. Thus anyrack section may be employed either as a single rack, or as anindependent unit section of a continuous rack, the improvementsincluding a construction whereby any rack bottom may be removed from anysection without disturbing the other sections, and without disturbingthe wall brackets. lnasmuch as the rack bottoms receive much harderusage when in service than the wall brackets, they require to berepaired and renished much more frequently than the brackets 3 hence thedesirability of thus making these rack bottoms separately andindependently detachable, so as to enable any or all of the rack bottomsto be quickly and easily taken out and replaced independently of eachother, and without removing the wall brackets. At the same time it isimportant to have these parts of simple, open and smooth construction,so that they may readily be finished and refinished in all portions. Allthese objects are attained in the present invention, which enableseither a single rack, or an extended or continuous rack, to be made upof only two different parts, viz., wall brackets and rack bottoms. Theserack bottoms or sections, although of light and open form are diagonallybraced and other- Vwise so iirmly and rigidly constructed as to formlattice girders which not only maintain their original form whendetached but are so attached to the brackets as to iirmly brace andsupport the latter in position, thus forming simple but irm andsubstantial racks whether used separately, or in combination as acontinuous or extended rack.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1908.

Serial No. 409,396.

The invention moreover comprises improvements in construction whichentirely dispense with the employment of loose and removable small partssuchas screws, nuts, unions, etc., and so avoids the use oi parts whichmay be readily lost, or which are liable to become loose and jar orrattle when in service.

Figure l of the drawings is a plan view showing a complete section, andportions of the adjacent sections of an extended or f continuous rack.Fig. 2 is an end view projected from Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view inenlarged scale and partly in section, showing one or' the wall bracketsandillustrating the detail construction and method of attachment of theends of the sectional rack bottoms thereto. Fig. 4 isI an end view insection on the line JE-4 of Fig. 3, also illustrating the operation ofputting in place or removing one of the sectional rack bottoms. Fig. 5is a plan view in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is afragmentary end view showing the outer end of one of the wall bracketswith its inwardly opening T-slot. Fig. 7 is a plan view partly insection showing the construction of the outer end portions of the racksand the adjacent portions of the wall brackets, and further illustratingthe method of attaching and detaching the racks. Figs. 8, 9, l() and llare detail views showing the construction and manner of attachment ofthe metallic clips for holding the lattice rod members iirmly togetherat their joints. Fig. 8 is a plan view and Fig. 9 an end view projectedtherefrom, and in section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. l() isan underneath view of one of these interlocking joints. Fig. 11 is anend view projected from Fig. 9 and in section taken on the line 11thereof. Fig. l2 is a plan view, partly in section, showing a method oflocking back the latches, and also showing a method of inishing theouter sides of the wall brackets.

ln these drawings N represents the wall of the car or other structure onwhich these racks may be used.

B represents the wall brackets, the feet of which are attached to theside of the wall in the customary way.

A indicates in a general way one of the removable sectional rack bottomsor shelves. These sectional rack bottoms A are herein shown to besupported upon the brackets B at four points, two at each end. One pairof these connections, preferably at the front Y side 0f the rack, is ofthe character of a separable hinge, while the other pair of supportingconnections are provided with latch devices by which the rack bottomisfirmly held in place, while permitting its ready removal when desired.By slipping the front ends of the rack into their coengaging supports atthe front ends of a pair of adjacent brackets, thus practically hangingit on its hinges, as is illustrated in Fig. 4, and then swinging. therearward end of the rack downwardly upon its hinges to the latchingposition shown in Fig. 2, the rack bottom is secured in place in thebrackets, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Obviously the hinged connection maybe at the rearward side of the racks, and the latching connection at thefront side. But for various reasons it is considered preferable toarrange it as shown herein, with the hinge portion at the front end andthe latching portion at the rear end.

Our preferred construction of the coengaging hinging portions of thebracket B and of the racks Aisbest shown in Figs. 6 and 7 One of thecoengaging members is provided with a T slot, and the other with aThead. 1n this preferred .construction the bracket B is provided on eachside'of its front end with a projecting hub in which is formed anundercut recess 20, thus forming approximately a T slot for receiving anapproximately T shaped head 19, which is formed at each end of the frontmember of the rack frame. The T slot 20 may be open either forwardly orbackwardly. But in the present instance it is. shown to open backwardlytoward the otherpoint of support ipon the bracket B, thishowever, beingmai y for appearances, to avoid-having the opening ofthe slot appear atthe front sideof the rack. In any case the T slot should open in adirection which does not permit of the displacement of the rack bottomat the hinged end when it is latched inA its position of service, theintention being first to unlatch and raise the rearward end, and. then.draw thel rack bottom backwardly out of the T slots, thus unhinging andreleasing it. This directionl or disposal of the T slot enalles ittosupport the front bar 5 of the rack section firmly againstl the upwardand downward shocks to which it is hat le when in use, due to heavybaggage striking against the under side when being lifted to place inthe rack, or being thrown heavily upon the upper side of the bar.

The rearward supporting connectiony between the bracket B and the rackbottom consists of a hub containing an aperture 17 for receiving thelatching bolt 14, which is at each end of the rearward side of the rackbottom. In addition to the aperture 17 for receiving` the bolts wepreferably employ a curved flange or half-hub 18 which extends outwardlybeneath theY principal rearward member of the rack frame, thussupporting the rearward side of the rack independently of the bolts 14.This additional support 18 for the frame makes it easier to retract thebolts; and prevents the rack bottom from falling out if the bolts shouldbe retracted when in use, either by accident or mischievously. Theflange 18 extends beneath the rearward end of the rack section so as tosupport its weight and the weight of the baggage upon it, and alsoextends behind the rack, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4t, so as to takethe backward thrust that may be dueto throwing heavy pieces of baggageagainst 'the outer front member 5 of the rack. 50

Each of the rack bottoms A is a composite structure, but made up in sucha way-as to form a single integral removable part, which is removedbodily from between the brackets B without removing or loosening anyscrews, nuts, or other extra parts which might drop, or be lost, ormislaid, or which might become loose andrattle when in service.Moreover, the selfcontained structure of these integral rack bottoms issuch that no screw drivers, wrenches, or similar special tools arerequired for removing and replacing them. 1n their preferredconstructionfshown herein, each of these rack bottoms consists of anopen rectangular frame, the front and back members consisting of tubes 5and 6, of well known construction, in which the tube is compressed so asto form longitudinal fins 8, which extend inwardly toward each other. Ator near the ends of the tubes they are united by cross braces 7 whichmay be of any approved form, suited for the strains to which they aresubjected. 1n the present instance they are of T-shaped cross section,one rib or fin of which extends inwardly in the plane of thelongitudinalV ribs or fins 8 of the tubes and 6, the ends of the bracesbeing preferably grooved to receive the said fins and being firmlyriveted thereto, thus forming a firm 110 rectangular frame.

The interior of the rectangular frame is provided with a diagonallattice, consisting of separate stiff rods which are disposed ina dit`gonal relation to the frame, crossing each 115 other to form a` squareor diamond shaped open lattice. These rods are attached at their endstothe fins 8 andthe ribs of the cross-braces 7 preferably by drillingholes through the latter to receive the ends of the p 4 tie or tensionmembers therefor.

These rods are firmly interlocked at each of their intersections, thusnot only holding each of them in a straight line to increase theirstability as strut members, but also adapting them to distribute thestrains from one to the other. The interlocking joints are made byforming short U shaped bends in opposite directions at each joint ofintersection, as best shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive. These bends areformed in the rods before assembling them. All these U-shaped bends of arod may be in the same direction for one of the series and in theopposite direction for the other series, so that the series which extendin one direction all lie on the same side of the series extending in theopposite direction. We prefer, however, as herein shown, not only tocross, but to interweave the two series of rods, in which case theU-shaped bends in any given rod will be alternately in oppositedirections, up and down. ln order to still further increase the securityand stability of the intersecting joints of the rods 9, they arepreferably provided with metallic clilps 10, shown in larger scale inFigs. 8 to 1 1 inc usive. These clips may be of any desired form. Ourpreferred form of clip is, however, made by suitably punching andbending pieces of sheet metal, so as to conform to the U-shaped crossingjoints of the wires. An aperture 37 is preferably made in the back ofthe clip as shown in Fig. 10 to receive the most deeply bowed portion ofthe U-shaped bend, the back or hump of which may thus project throughthe aperture as best shown in Fig. 9. This avoids undue thickening ofthe joint, which thus need not exceed the thickness of the two crossingwires, and these may, if desired, be flattened at the crossing point, ifthe further reduction of thickness is found to be desirable. These clipsthus underlie one of the crossing wires, While its ends 36 extend overand are clenched upon the opposite crossing wire, thus holding theinter-ocking joints of the rods closely together.

The T heads 19 at the ends of the front members 5, which serve both ashinge members and as tie and strut members for connecting the outer endsof the brackets together, may be made by turning annular grooves 21 inthe projecting ends of the rods 12, thus forming the annular T heads 19,which project into the annular recess 20, the abutting shoulders of thecoengaging members forming firm interlocking endwise engagement, bymeans of which the outer ends ofthe brackets and the front side of therack, of Whatever length, are firmly and stifliy supported in an endwisedirection; and in both of those directions. rlhe rods 12 may extend theentire length' 'of the respective rack sections, or they may be shortpieces brazed in the ends of the tubes 5, this being a matter dependentupon the size and thickness ofthe Walls of the tube 5 and the amount ofstrength required.

Each rack section when assembled and disassembled operates after themanner of a gate, swinging on separable hinges at its front side, andbeing latched or otherwise held in its service position at its rearwardside. As herein shown the ends of the rearward member 6 rest upon theflanges 18 which project from the side of the bracket and thus supportthe rearward side of the rack section or bottom with its bolts 14 inalinement with its receiving apertures 17 of the bracket. The bolts 14are herein shown, preferably cylindrical, and are seated in the ends ofthe tubular members 6, being backed by springs 16 which tend to urge thebolts 141 into their apertures 17. ln order to enable the bolts to beconveniently retracted they are provided with pins 15 which extendoutwardly through slots 22 in their casing, which in the instance hereshown is the rearward tubular member 6 of the frame. l/Vhen, however,these members are not of a tubular character, the bolts 14 may obviouslybe seated in any other properly shaped and disposed guide or casi-ng.

The operating pins 15 of the bolts 14 preferably project on the rearwardside of the frame so as to be out of sight when in use, not only forappearance, but to reduce the liability to mischievous or malicioustampering. The bolts may ordinarily be withdrawn by the fingers,supplemented where necessary by a screw driver, chisel, or almost anysimple piece of wood or metal. lf it is considered desirable to fastenthe bolts in their retracted position the slots 22 may be extendedsidewise as shown in Fig. 8, forming the well-known bayonet joint, bymeans of which the pins 15 may be held in their retracted positionduring the removal of the rack section, remaining thus retracted ifdesired until the rack is again placed in position.

lt is generally found desirable to provide racks of this character witha bar or stop member at the back of the rack to prevent baggage frombeing thrown against the wall of the car, and thereby injure itsinterior finished surface. W'e therefore provide a stop bar or back rod26, which when the rest of the rack is of brass or other expensivemetal, may be a thin brass tube reinforced by an inner rod 25 of steelor other less expensive metal. One end of the back rod 26, or of thereinforcing rod 25 may be extended as shown at 27, to enter the aperture28 in the bracket B, the opposite end of the rod being provided with abolt 31, a spring 32, and operating pin 33, as shown in Fig. 5. The endof the bolt 31 is adapted to enter the aperture 28 of its adjacentbracket. Each projecting end of the back rod enters the aperture 28 onlyhalf way, leaving the other half of the length of rods are subjected inuse.

the aperture for receiving the corresponding rods and bolts of theadjacent sections. The

:seats in the bracket B for the stop rods 26 are preferably reinforcedby means of the curved flanges 29, similar to the flanges 18, whichsupport the ends of the back rod against the strains to which it may besubjected by having the baggage thrown against it from the front. Thisconstruction and arrangement of the racks and brackets enables them tobe manufactured in large quantities, and on the interchangeable plan, aconvenient standard of length being adopted for the individual unitsection. ln putting up these racks the brackets B are first secured tothe walls at a suitable distance apart. Then one of the rack bottoms isplaced in position, being first presented as indicated by the positionof the left hand rack in Fig. 7, from which position it is pushedbackwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, the rearward or latchingside of the rack being held in its raised position. When the rack isdrawn forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, so that its hingedortions are in engagement with the brac iets as shown by the right handrack of Fig. 7, the rearward end of the rack may be swung downwardly,resting upon flanges 18, the bolts 14 being meanwhile retracted by hand,or being held back by the use of the bayonet lock shown in Fig. 8. Thenthe bolts 14 are released and are projected into the apertures 17 of thebrackets, thus locking the rack in position, being released from thatposition only by again retracting the bolts 14, lifting the rearward endof the rack section upwardly to the position of Fig. 4, and then pushingit back far enough to separate the hinged ends of the front side. Thestop rod 26 is placed in position by merely inserting the end 27 in theaperture 28 in one bracket, and then retracting the bolt 31. andswinging the stop rod into alinement with the aperture 28 into which thebolt 31 is then projected, thus locking it in place, from which it canbe removed only be retracting the bolt 31. It is in several waysadvantageous thus to make the lattice rods 9 of separate and independentpieces, instead of casting them in one piece with each other, or withthe surrounding frame. This construction permits of thev selection of amaterial for the rods suited in tensile strength and temper for thespecial service and special strains to which these Moreover, if one rod,or a number of rods, become bent or stretched, or otherwise deformed, sothat the lattice sags or becomes "baggy, the stretched members may beremoved and a corresponding number of new rods put in their places, thuscompletely repairing the damage without throwing away the entirelattice, and perhaps also the entire frame. Furthermore, these rods maythus be made of drawn metal, increasing their capacity for resisting thestretching and bending strains to which they are subjected, and alsogiving them a smooth and if desired, a polished surface, therebyenhancing their finished appearance and enabling them to be cleaned andrefinished to better advantage.

The structure here shown and described may be modified in various ways,as to pattern or style, and may be of various metals, or finished indierent colors, to match or suit the style, pattern or finish of thecar, or of other associated trimmings. The outer sides of the endbrackets may, instead of being provided with the T-slots 20, flanges 18,and locking apertures 17 and 28, be finished off smoothly. Or they maybe provided with hubs like the hub 39 in Fig. 12, threaded or otherwiseadapted to receive a finishing ball or knob, like the knob 40 of Fig.12, or be provided with any other finish or embellishment in accordancewith the taste of the designer, or to suit the style or finish of theirsurroundings. In various ways which will be obvious to the draftsman ordesigner, the various features of this invention may be modified inform, arrangement, and finish, to suit different environments ordifferent conditions of service.

We claim as our invention 1. A rack bottom comprising a frame composedof rods united near each end by cross races, and of two separate seriesof stiff rods crossing each other and dis osed diagonally of the saidframe, and attached at their ends to the frame whereby they resistdeformation of the frame.

2. A unit rack bottom for baggage racks, comprising an o en framecomposed of a front rod and a back rod united near their ends by crossbraces, and of a lattice web within the frame consisting of two separateseries of stiff rods crossing each other and eX- tending diagonally ofthe frame and connected thereto at their ends, whereby the rods serveboth as struts and as tie members to resist deforination of the frame.

3. A unitary removable rack bottom for baggage racks, having incombination a frame consisting of a front rod and a back rod, crossbraces riveted to and connecting the said rods ap roXimately at theirends, and a lattice we within the frame consisting of separate stiff'rods attachedv at their ends to the frame and crossing each otherdiagonally of the said frame, the rods at each of said crossings beingbent partly arornd each other to form short U-shaped interlocking bends.

4. A unitary removable rack bottom for baggage racks, havingA incombination a frame consisting of a front. rod and a back rod, crosslbraces riveted to and connecting the said rods'` approximately at theirends, and a lattice web within theframe consisting of separate stiffrods attached at their ends to the frame and crossing each other.diagonally ofthe said frame, the'rods at each of said crossings beingbent partly around each other to form short U-shaped interlocking bends,and metallic clips at the said crossing joints clamping the interlockingportions of the said rods together.

5. ln a baggage rack, the combination with wall brackets, of a rackbottom consisting of a rectangular frame composed of a front and backrod united by cross braces near their ends, and of separate stiff rodshaving hooked ends attached to the said frames and disposed diagonallythereof, and crossing each other, to serve both as struts and tiemembers to resist deformation of the rectangular frame in oppositedirections.

6. In a baggage rack, the combination with wall brackets, of a rackbottom consisting of a rectangular frame composed of a front and a backrod rigidly united near their ends by cross braces, and of two series ofseparate stiff rods disposed diagonally of the frame and interlockingeach other, the ends of the said rods being hooked into the said frame,whereby deformation ofthe rectangular frame is resisted in bothdirections.

'7. In a baggage rack, the combination with wall brackets, of a rackbottom consisting of a rectangular frame composed of a front and a backrod rigidly united near their ends by cross braces, and of two series ofseparate rods disposed diagonally of the frame and hooked thereto by theends of the rods, the two series of rods crossing each other diagonally,the rods at each crossing joint being bent partly around each other toform interlocking joints.

8. In a baggage rack, the combination with wall brackets, of a rackbottom consisting of a rectangular frame composed of a front rod and aback rod rigidly united near their ends by cross braces, and of twoseries of separate rods disposed diagonally of the frame and hookedthereto by the ends of the rods, the two series of rods interlockingeach other diagonally, the rods at each crossing joint being bent partlyaround each other to form interlocking joints, and metallic clipsengaging the two members of each joint and holding them in theirinterlocking position.

9. A unit rack bottom for baggage racks, comprising a rectangular frameprovided on each of its four sides with an inwardly proj ecting iin, anda lattice web within the said frame consisting of separate rods crossingeach other diagonally of the frame and attached at their ends to thesaid iins to form rigid struts and tie members for bracing therectangular frame.

10. A unit rack bottom for baggage racks, comprisin a rigid rectangularframe provided on a four inner sides with an inwardly projecting iinthinner than the frame memers, and an open stiiiening web within thesaid frame comprising separate sti rods eX- tending diagonally of theframe and interlaced with each other to form an open lattice,

p the ends ofthe rods being secured to the said fins.

11. A unit rack'bottom Jfor baggage racks, comprising a rigidrectangular frame composed of four members rigidly fastened together attheir ends, and each provided with an inwardly projecting iin thinnerthan the frame members, and a stiiening lattice web within the saidframe comprising separate stiff rods crossing each other diagonally ofthe frame, and rigidly connected at their ends to the said iins of theframe.

12. A baggage rack comprising a pair of wall brackets and a removablerack bottom, the said brackets and the corresponding ends of the rackbottom being provided with coengaging shoulders opening only in arearward direction relative to the bracket to permit the insertion andremoval of the rack only from the rearward side of the bracketshoulders.

13. A baggage rack comprising a pair of wall brackets and a removablerack bottom, the said brackets and the adjacent ends of the rack bottombeing provided with hingelike connections separating in a rearwarddirection relative to the bracket to permit the hinging and unhinging ofthe rack in a rearward direction relative to the bracket.

14. A baggage rack consisting of a pair of wall brackets and anintegrally removable rack bottom, each bracket and the adjacent end ofthe rack bottom being provided with sidewise opening coengaging hingemembers, and means for latching the said rack to prevent the disengagingsidewise movement of the hinge members when in service.

15. A baggage rack consistin@r of a pair of wall brackets and anintegral` detachable rack bottom, each bracket and its adjacent end ofthe rack bottom being provided with a coengaging T head and T slotopening in a sidewise direction relative to the length of the rack, andlatch mechanism for holding the said T head and T slot in coengaginrelation when in service, but permitting t eir ready disengagement whendesired.

16. A baggage rackconsisting of a pair of wall brackets and a removablerack bottom, each of said brackets being provided with means forsupporting the adjacent end of the rack bottom at two places, one ofsaid supporting connections consisting of aT head and a T slot openingtoward the other su porting connection of the bracket, and t e saidother supporting connection including a retractable bolt for engagingwith the bracket to maintain the said T head and T slot connection incoengagement during service, while permitting disengagement thereof whendesired.

17. A baggage rack comprising two wall bracketshagremovable sectionalrack bottom having a tubular front member and a tubular back memberextending longitudinally of the section, one of said members engaging atits ends with the respective brackets by means of a T head and T slotconnection, and the other tubular member being provided at each end witha retractable bolt for engaging with the respective brackets. 1

18. A baggage rack consisting of two wall brackets, an integralremovable rack bottom disposed'between the two brackets and having twosupporting connections therewith at each of its ends, one of the saidconnections being a detachable hinged connection havj ing endwiseholding shoulders for maintaining the spacing of the brackets, and the lother of said connections including retractable bolt devices for lockingthe said rack, bottom in place and preventing its unhinging movement.

19. A baggage rack having in combination a rack bottom, two wallbrackets provided with means for supporting their respective ends of therack bottom at two places, one of said supporting connections consistingof a hub on the side of the bracket provided with a sidewise opening Tslot, and a coengaging portion of the rack being provided with acorresponding T shaped head forming a separable hinge connection withthe saidT slot.

20. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having in its side face a recessprovided with a shoulder substantially parallel with the bracket forreceiving and detachably holding the end of a removable rack section.

21. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having a T slot in its side facefor receiving and supporting an end portion of a sectional rack.

22. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having aT slot and a supportingflange at dierent portions of its side face for receiving and supportingthe end of a removable rack bottom.

23. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having in its side face asupporting fiange, and a T slot extending in the general direction ofthe said flange, for receiving and supporting the end of a removablerack section.

24. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having in its side face asupporting iiange, a locking aperture, and a T slot opening in thegeneral direction of the said flange and aperture, for receiving andsupporting the end of a removable rack section.

25. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having on its side face aprojecting Harige, and a projecting hub provided with a T slot extendingand opening in the general direction of the said flange, for receivingand removably supporting the end of a removable rack section.

26. A wall bracket having on each of its dered recess for receiving theends of detachable racks and supporting them against endwise movement.

27. A wall bracket for baggage racks, having in each of its oppositeside faces means for supporting the adjacent ends of two removablesectional racks, including a supporting flange and a recessed T slotsubstantially parallel with the faces of said bracket, and opening inthe general direction of the said flange.

28. A wall'bracket for continuous baggage racks, having on each sideface means for supporting the adjacent ends of removable rack sections,consisting of a projecting hub and a projecting flange, the hub beingprovided with a shouldered recess opening in the general direction ofthe said flange, and the flange forming a seat for the rearward memberof the rack section and opening in an upward direction to permit upwardswinging movement of that side of the rack.

29. A wall bracket for continuous baggage racks, having upon each sideface means for supporting the adjacent ends of removable rack sections,consisting of a projecting hub provided with a shouldered T slot openingin a generally rearward direction, and a fiange at the rearward end ofthe bracket forming a seat for the rearward side of the rack section andopening in a generally upward direction to permit upward swinging of therearward side of the rack.

30. The combination with the wall brackets of baggage racks, of aremovable back stop extending from one bracket to the other, and havingshoulders abutting against there.- spective brackets, and means forremovably latching the back stop to the said brackets.

31. rlhe combination with the wall brackets of baggage racks, of a backstop extending from one bracket to the other and provided withshouldered end portions abutting against the said brackets, and latchingbolts entering apertures in the said brackets, one of the said latchingbolts being retractable for removing and replacing the back stop.

32. The combination with the wall brackets of baggage racks, of a backstop consisting of a tubular member extending from bracket to bracket,and bolt members at each end of the back stop entering seats in the saidbracket, one of the said bolt members being retractable to facilitateremoval and replacing of the back stop.

33. rlhe combination with wallbrackets of baggage racks, a removableback stop therefor comprising a tubular member eX- tending from onebracket to the other, bolt members projecting from the ends of the tubesto enter apertures in the brackets, one of the said bolts being mountedto telescope within the said tube, and a spring for pressing oppositeside faces a sidewise opening shouli the said bolt to its latchingposition.

. 34. In a car-rack, the combination with two brackets provided upontheir faces with inwardly projecting bearing sockets, of a unitary shelfstructure adapted at its ends to' be interlocked with the said socketsagainst longitudinal movement, and means for locking the structureagainst movement in a vertical plane with respect to the brackets.

35. In a car-rack, the combination with two brackets formed upon theirinner faces with inwardly projecting U-shaped bearing sockets formedwith locking grooves, of a unitary shelf structure comprising tubesprovided at their ends with locking Ranges adapted to enter the saidgrooves, and means for locking the said structure against verticalmovement with respect to the brackets.

35. In a car-rack construction, the combination with a plurality ofbrackets formed upon their opposite faces with alined oppo- 20 sitelyprojecting bearing sockets open at their sides and ends, of a pluralityof unitary shelf structures adapted at their ends to be entered into andinterlocked with the said bearing sockets of the brackets.

CHARLES I. HOWARD. FRANK E. HOWARD. Vitnesses:

GEORGE C. BARNES, U. S. AYER.

